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How To Spot Signs Of Hormone Imbalance.

Do you have hormone imbalance? We'll take a look at some of the possible signs that can reflect this problem.
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1. Your Hormones, Your Health.

Feeling bloated, irritable, or not just your best? Shifts in your hormone could be to blame.Hormones are chemical "messengers" that impact the way your cells and organs function. It's normal for your levels  of them to shift at different times of your life, such as before and during your period, or a pregnancy or during menopause. But some medication and health issues can cause your levels to go up or down, too

2. Appetite And Weight Gain

You may gain weight during hormonal shifts, such as menopause. But hormonal changes don't directly affect your weight. Instead, it likely happens because of other factors, like aging or lifestyle. For example, when you're feeling blue or irritated, as you can be when your estrogen levels drop, you may want to eat more. It can also impact your body's level of leptin, a hunger-reviving hormone.

3. Sudden Weight Loss

Your thyroid glands help control how fast your body turns food into fuel, as well as your heart rate and temperature. When it makes too many hormones--or doesn't make enough-- your weight can drop. If you've lost 10 pounds or more and haven't been working out more or eating differently, let your doctor know.

​4. Irregular Periods

Most women's period come every 21 to 35 days. If yours doesn't arrive the same time every month, or you skip some months, it might mean that certain hormones (estrogen and progesterone) are too high or too low. The reason for that can be perimenopause--the time before menopause--if you're in your 40s or early 50s. But irregular periods can  also be symptoms of health problems like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Talk to your doctor.

5.Chronic Acne

A breakout before or during your period is normal. But acne that won't clear up can be a symptom of hormone problems. An excess of androgens ("male" hormones that both men and women have) can cause your oil glands to overwork. Androgens also your skin cells in and  around your hair follicles. Both of these can clog your pores and cause acne.

​6. Memory Fog

Experts aren't sure exactly how hormones impact your brain. What they do know is that changes in estrogen and progesterone can make your head feel "foggy", and make it harder for you to remember things. Some experts think estrogen might impact brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Let your doctor know if you're having trouble thinking clearly.

​7. Belly Problems

Your gut is lined with tiny cells called receptors that respond to estrogen and progesterone. When these hormones are higher or lower than usual, you might notice changes in how you're digesting food. That's why diarrhea, bloating, stomach pain, and nausea can crop up, or get worse before and during your period. If you're having digestive woes as well as issues as acne, and fatigue, your hormone levels might be off. 

8. Hair Loss And Hair Thinning

When hormones like estrogen drop, others in your body like testosterone, start to have a bigger impact. The result is thinning hair or hair loss. You could notice this during pregnancy, menopause, or after you start your birth control pills.

9. Breast Changes

A drop in estrogen can make your breast tissue less dense. And an increase in the hormone can thicken this tissue, even causing new lumps or cysts. Talk to your doctor if you notice breast changes.

10. Thirst.

Both estrogen and progesterone can affect the amount of water in your body. When their levels change--like they do before or at the start of your period-- you can find yourself more thirsty than usual. Thirst can also be a sign that your body isn't making enough antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which helps you retain a healthy amount of water. This can cause a condition called diabetes insipidus. 
Credit: WebMD